…use, labor systems, and trade relationships both domestically and internationally. By the late 1850s, the South had achieved total dominance in cotton production, producing 100 percent of the 374 million…
How Hay Baling Began: The First Hay Presses and Early Innovations
…to reshape how farmers stored and transported one of their most essential commodities. The earliest hay presses brought new levels of efficiency, reducing labor demands and making it possible to…
Todd Burkdoll of Valent USA on Coverage, Technology, and the Future of California Agriculture
…determines efficacy. In today’s high-cost farming environment, Burkdoll said, growers cannot afford inefficiency. Labor, fuel, water, equipment wear, and crop protection inputs have all risen sharply. If a product does…
The Future of California Farming: Insights from Nick Foglio of Foglio Commodities
…parts of the interview was Foglio’s discussion of trucking economics: Freight that cost $100–$110/ton in 2020 now moves for $60–$70/ton. Meanwhile, equipment, insurance, and labor costs have all climbed. Operators…
Navigating Agriculture’s Crossroads: Insights from Nick Foglio
…Labor, Automation, and Rising Costs Labor remains a top pressure point. With California’s minimum wage increasing, more farms are turning to automation and mechanization. But Folio warns that growers must…
John Deere on Organic Farming, Automation & the Future of Agriculture
…or organic, we have the same technology to optimize inputs, labor, and farm management,” he said. He emphasized the value of the Grower Summit, which provides a platform to interact…
California Agriculture: Water, Crop Markets & 2025 Outlook
…instability. Specialty crops such as nuts and grapes remain volatile, though signs of future stabilization are emerging. Labor, inputs, and freight remain key challenges, but domestic demand and new value-added…
A Conversation with Nicholas “Nick” Karavidas: A Winemaker’s Journey and Today’s Global Wine Challenges
…quality rivals hand-picking. Inside the winery, systems like automated pump-overs and rotary screens will streamline production and reduce labor intensity. A Transitional Era with Opportunity Karavidas framed this moment as…
Inside Today’s Wine Market: A Deep-Dive Conversation with Veteran Winemaker Nick Karavidas
…Must Automate Fast The Ag Meter raised the growing presence of low-price French, Italian, and other imported wines on U.S. shelves. Why are they so cheap? Foreign subsidies Lower labor…
Inside Butte County Agriculture: Education, Community, and Critical Issues
…financial burden on farmers and ranchers. Other major challenges include: High labor costs Rising input and equipment costs Water uncertainty Freight and supply chain pressures Farmers want to pay fair…
Navigating California’s Agricultural Regulations: Insights from Bryan Little of the California Farm Bureau
…pass, including new requirements for farm labor contractors—a major component of California’s agricultural workforce. Farm labor contractors, who often employ seasonal workers and manage H-2A visa labor, now face duplicative…
California Agriculture News: Labor, Automation, and Policy Updates – AgNet News Hour
…the Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) to assist with compliance on wages, hours, safety, training, and human resources. He highlighted the constant changes in California labor regulations, emphasizing the need…
California Agave Farming: Stuart Woolf’s Vision for Sustainable Agriculture
…Growers, Woolf notes that some farmers are relocating to other states or countries due to high costs and regulatory challenges, putting multi-generational family farms at risk. Labor restrictions, trucking regulations,…
Inside California’s Organic Farming Boom: Technology, Labor, and the Fight for Farmland
…some unique hurdles—especially around labor. “California has an unusually challenging labor environment with laws that go a bit overboard,” he explains. “What we really need to be spending our time…